COLCHESTER has gone World Cup crazy.

But it’s not to show support for unfancied England or even for love of the beautiful game.

More people in Colchester are buying the famous Panini World Cup stickers than anywhere else in the country, according to Tesco.

The supermarket giant has put a surge in sales of the adhesive stickers, which picture players from each of the World Cup nations, down to nostalgic men in their thirties trying to relive their youth.

Shops in Colchester, including superstores in the Hythe and in Highwoods as well as Tesco Express shops in Crouch Street and Bromley Road, have sold enough stickers so every resident in the town could have one.

Mark Ireland, Tesco magazines and newspapers buying manager, said: “Some habits in life are hard to give up and as information collected from our sales data reveals one of those is the thrill of collecting World Cup football stickers.

“This is the highest demand we have ever seen – quite possibly because everyone is still buzzing after the most exciting and open Premiership title races ever.”

Mr Ireland added: “We have no idea why sales are so strong in Colchester but we have sold enough packets in the town for everyone living there to have one sticker.”

Neighbouring Braintree came second in the survey.

Southport, York and Portsmouth made up the rest of the top five.